Neerja Bhanot, a young purser, gave her life in her attempt to save the lives of many dozens of passengers on board Pan Am Flight 73, which was hijacked by terrorists in September 1986. In so doing, she became a national symbol of bravery and heroism. Her story is well documented in this taut, inspiring and heart-touching thriller, which keeps its viewers on the edge of their seats as they witness this female hero fight for the lives of all those passengers who were forced to sit still and watch the atrocity of the four terrorists. Sonam Kapoor is the main lead here, and she makes the best of what many actresses would consider a dream role. This is clearly her best part, and she is very strong in her portrayal of Neerja's selfless bravery on board, as well as her steadfast determination not to succumb to societal mores in her personal life.
The story develops at a fast pace, and is spite of its proceedings being well-known to all, the audience still wishes for a different outcome. Due credit for this would go to the direction, which combines elements of a suspenseful thriller and a strong human drama. It is the ending, however, which is a little too sentimental, but there it's Shabana Azmi's turn to shine and she does as usual. One cannot but feel for this woman and her daughter, but it's always inspiring to see how the sacrifice of Neerja, just as noted in the film, manages to immortalize her, so much that thirty years later a film is produced in her memory, and audiences are running to watch it. In the long run kindness is never left unnoticed. Long live Neerja Bhanot, may her selfless bravery and heroic sacrifice will never be left unrecorded in the pages of history.
The story develops at a fast pace, and is spite of its proceedings being well-known to all, the audience still wishes for a different outcome. Due credit for this would go to the direction, which combines elements of a suspenseful thriller and a strong human drama. It is the ending, however, which is a little too sentimental, but there it's Shabana Azmi's turn to shine and she does as usual. One cannot but feel for this woman and her daughter, but it's always inspiring to see how the sacrifice of Neerja, just as noted in the film, manages to immortalize her, so much that thirty years later a film is produced in her memory, and audiences are running to watch it. In the long run kindness is never left unnoticed. Long live Neerja Bhanot, may her selfless bravery and heroic sacrifice will never be left unrecorded in the pages of history.